Doctoral Dissertation & FGS Regulations

The doctoral degree is the highest degree awarded by a university. It is granted only upon evidence of general proficiency and of distinctive attainment in a special field of study. The student must demonstrate ability for independent investigation. The dissertation, which comprises the final requirement of the degree, embodies creative scholarship, and must add new knowledge to the field of study.

For the purposes of AU FGS regulations, a ‘doctoral degree’ refers to both a Doctorate and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.

Doctoral Study Guidelines:

• 1. Doctoral Dissertation Route
• 2. Supervisors and Committee Members
  • 2.1 Eligibility Criteria
  • 2.2 Other Categories
  • 2.3 Selection, Composition, and Approval of the Supervisor and Supervisory Committee
  • 2.4 Doctoral Degree Supervisory Committee
  • 2.5 Co-supervision
  • 2.6 Regulations, Roles and Responsibilities of Supervisors and Students
  • 2.7 Changing a Supervisor or Supervisory Committee
  • 2.8 Supervisor on Leave
• 3. Program of Study
• 4. The Candidacy
  • 4.1 Preparation for the Candidacy Examination
  • 4.2 Responsibilities of the Supervisor
  • 4.3 Selection, Composition, and Approval of Doctoral Candidacy Examination Committee
  • 4.4 Definition of ‘At Arm’s Length’
  • 4.5 Written Candidacy Examination
  • 4.6 Preparation for the Oral Candidacy Examination
  • 4.7 Oral Candidacy Examination
  • 4.8 Adjudication Categories and Procedures for Written Dissertation Proposal
  • 4.9 Adjudication Categories and Procedures for the Oral Candidacy Examination
• 5. Doctoral Candidate Status
• 6. Ethics/Access Approval
• 7. The Dissertation
  • 7.1 Preliminary Acceptance of the Dissertation
  • 7.2 Dissertation Examination Committee Composition and Approval
  • 7.3 Appointment of the External Examiner
  • 7.4 Responsibilities of the External Examiner
  • 7.5 Distribution of the Dissertation for Examination
  • 7.6 Changes in the Examination Committee
  • 7.7 Adjudication on the Doctoral Dissertation prior to Oral Examination
• 8. Preparation for the Oral Examination
  • 8.1 Responsibilities of the FGS
  • 8.2 Appointment of the Neutral Chair for the Oral Examination
• 9. Oral Examination Procedures
  • 9.1 Attendance of Visitors at Examinations
  • 9.2 Adjudication of the Doctoral Dissertation Examination
  • 9.3 Adjudication Categories and Procedures of Final Dissertation
  • 9.4 Adjudication Categories and Procedures of Oral Examination
• 10. Submission of Dissertation
• 11. Signatures
• Appendix Figures